Government of Burundi Medal?

[Gldank]

I know that this is a medal from the Government of Burundi. Can anyone tell me more? Thanks.

[922F]

This is often identified as the Burundi Republic version of the Order of Prince Louis Rwagasore. This order is a thorny proposition itself--it is likely/possible that two orders by that name actually exist(ed). A friend tried unsuccessfully to get info on both Burundi and Rwanda from about 1999-2002.

Somewhere there's a write up in either the Belgian collectors' journal (MEDEC), the old French Sabretache or some similar publication. As I recall, first type (kingdom or regency) insignia (maybe the first distinct order) was more elaborate and was a 6 or 7 class set up with three affilated medals. Possibly there was a crown or wreath suspension. The ribbon had green and maybe black stripes besides red and white. McNamara had some insignia he sold to Gustav Tammann. It was sold in the UBS Tamann auction last year. That auction catalog pictures his kingdom grand cross set.

The 2nd type (republic) insignia looks like your badge. These were sold in Kenya [by curio shoops--maybe ex-looters?] and by a Belgian eBay vendor. Story was that these were made in either Charleroi or Brussels maybe by Fibru or DeGreef or subcontractors, and either never paid for or left unclaimed. Either a shifty employee stole some and they got on the market or new management "swept them out". There is a square medal of the 2nd design as well but whether this is a knight badge or an affiliated medal is unclear. The republic star that looks like a Rwanda 1000 lakes Order star with a Rwagasore center.

In principle, orders statutes and honorees' names must be published in the official journals. In reality, who knows?

I suppose you've GOOGLED without success? There is a Google article on

Prince Louis Rwagasore. Stair-Sainty has nothing--donot remember if the French Africa awards Book even mentions it.

[speedytop]

Hi,

always very interesting, we can find so many different opinions.

Is it the order of Justice and peace?

http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/product.htm...amp;prdid=L8966

Is it the Royal Order of Prince Louis Rwagasore?

http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1109

http://www.semon.fr/DECORATIONS_BURUNDI.htm

Or is it from a football club?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Louis_FC

Please compare the left medal from the french source with the logo from the football club.

I don't know it, but I also have such a nice Order/Medal in my collection:

Regards

Uwe

[Ulsterman]

Very,very interesting. At one time the Burundi royals in exile had a website and this medal wasn't on it. I suspect it is the Republican version of the Prince Rwagasore Order.

This is a "redone" version :

http://www.royalark.net/Burundi/burundi10.htm